Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith has locked into ‘cheerleader’ mode for the AFL finals after his comeback bid was shut down, admitting he would have kept pushing if not for his future. The 23-year-old has been sidelined since suffering an ACL injury in December and he will make up his mind on his next contract without playing a single game this year. Swirling rumours have left Smith highly likely to make a move to Geelong but, speaking for the first time since his injury, refused to be drawn on what’s next.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today “I honestly don’t think too far, that’s the beauty of it,” he told 7NEWS Melbourne. “I’m just trying to think here and now and not focus on the future, because I’ll have a panic attack otherwise. “We haven’t even thought about anything like that.
“I’m sure it’ll come, obviously getting towards later in the year, but obviously the knee, health and supporting the boys is the main priority.” Smith received the Bulldogs’ blessing to escape Melbourne’s winter with an overseas holiday that doubled as a training camp of sorts. It fuelled his hope that he could return to the field before the end of the year before the Dogs pulled the pin.
“I want to have a long career, it’s not worth the risk versus reward. Obviously a different story if it’s a grand final,” Smith said. “I’m just going to be their cheerleader for hopefully the finals ahead.
” The Bulldogs can guarantee their p.